Biochanin A Mitigates Atherosclerosis by Inhibiting Lipid Accumulation and Inflammatory Response

Alexandros G.Sfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Biochanin A Mitigates Atherosclerosis by Inhibiting Lipid Accumulation and Inflammatory Response Μέσω Hindawi Publishing Corporation Biochanin A (BCA), a dietary isoflavone extracted from red clover and cabbage, has been shown to antagonize hypertension and myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, very little is known about its role in atherogenesis. The aim of this study was to observe the effects of BCA on atherosclerosis and explore the underlying mechanisms. Our results showed that administration of BCA promoted reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), improved plasma lipid profile, and decreased serum proinflammatory cytokine levels and atherosclerotic lesion area in apoE-/- mice fed a Western diet. In THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells, treatment with BCA upregulated ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter A1 (ABCA1) and ABCG1 expression and facilitated subsequent cholesterol efflux and diminished intracellular cholesterol con tents by activating the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ)/liver X receptor α (LXRα) and PPARγ/heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) pathways. BCA also activated these two signaling pathways to inhibit the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. Taken together, these findings suggest that BCA is protective against atherosclerosis by inhibiting lipid accumulation and inflammatory response through the PPARγ/LXRα and PPARγ/HO-1 pathways. BCA may be an attractive drug for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Some Common SNPs of the T-Cell Homeostasis-Related Genes Are Associated with Multiple Sclerosis, but Not with the Clinical Manifestations of the Disease, in the Polish Population

Alexandros G.Sfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Some Common SNPs of the T-Cell Homeostasis-Related Genes Are Associated with Multiple Sclerosis, but Not with the Clinical Manifestations of the Disease, in the Polish Population Μέσω Hindawi Publishing Corporation Purpose. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease, and genetic factors play an important role in its pathogenesis and progression. The aim of our study was to evaluate the frequencies of alleles and genetic variants of the T-cell homeostasis-related genes, in subjects with MS, as well as to investigate the association with MS clinical manifestations and disability. Methods. 94 subjects with MS and 160 healthy individuals have been genotyped for seven common single-nucleotide variants in IL-2RA, CTLA4, CD40, and PADI4 genes. The ages of onset, duration of the disease, and clinical condition of the MS subjects were analysed. We used the Chi2 test confirmed with Fisher's exact test for statistical analysis. Results. The frequency of allele T and CT/TT genotypes (rs7093069) in the IL2RA gene, as well as the T allele and CT/TT genotypes in rs12722598, were significantly higher in the control group. The significant differences between studied groups we also found for the G allele and GG/GA genotypes of rs3087243 in CTLA4 gene, which were more common among the control group. The heterozygous genotype TC (rs1883832) of CD40 gene was more common in the control subjects, and the frequency of the alleles and genotypes in the rs1748033 of the PADI4 gene did not differ between the studied groups. Between the studied genotypes, we did not observe any significant differences in the age of onset and duration of disease, including sex stratification. Conclusion. Our results highlight the protective role of some of the T-cell homeostasis-related genetic variants in MS development, but not in its clinical manifestation. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Early Electroacupuncture Extends the rtPA Time Window to 6 h in a Male Rat Model of Embolic Stroke via the ERK1/2-MMP9 Pathway

Alexandros G.Sfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Early Electroacupuncture Extends the rtPA Time Window to 6 h in a Male Rat Model of Embolic Stroke via the ERK1/2-MMP9 Pathway Μέσω Hindawi Publishing Corporation Background. Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) is the only recommended pharmacological treatment for acute ischemic stroke, but it has a restricted therapeutic time window. When administered at time points greater than 4.5 h after stroke onset, rtPA disrupts the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which leads to serious brain edema and hemorrhagic transformation. Electroacupuncture (EA) exerts a neuroprotective effect on cerebral ischemia; however, researchers have not clearly determined whether EA increases the safety of thrombolysis and extends the therapeutic time window of rtPA administration following ischemic stroke. Objective. The present study was conducted to test the hypothesis that EA extends the therapeutic time window of rtPA for ischemic stroke in a male rat model of embolic stroke. Methods. SD rats were randomly divided into the sham operation group, model group, rtPA group, EA+rtPA group, and rtPA+MEK1/2 inhibitor group. An injection of rtPA was administered 6 h after ischemia. Rats were treated with EA at the Shuigou (GV26) and Neiguan (PC6) acupoints at 2 h after ischemia. Neurological function, infarct volume, BBB permeability, brain edema, and hemorrhagic transformation were assessed at 24 h after ischemia. Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining were performed to detect the levels of proteins involved in the ERK1/2 signaling pathway (MEK1/2 and ERK1/2), tight junction proteins (Claudin5 and ZO-1), and MMP9 in the ischemic penumbra at 24 h after stroke. Results. Delayed rtPA treatment aggravated hemorrhagic transformation and brain edema. However, treatment with EA plus rtPA significantly improved neurological function and reduced the infarct volume, hemorrhagic transformation, brain edema, and EB leakage in rats compared with rtPA alone. EA incre ased the levels of tight junction proteins, inhibited the activation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway, and reduced MMP9 overexpression induced by delayed rtPA thrombolysis. Conclusions. EA potentially represents an effective adjunct method to increase the safety of thrombolytic therapy and extend the therapeutic time window of rtPA administration following ischemic stroke. This neuroprotective effect may be mediated by the inhibition of the ERK1/2-MMP9 pathway and alleviation of the destruction of the BBB. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Coping With Stress and Burnout Associated With Telecommunication and Online Learning

alkiviadis.1961 shared this article with you from Inoreader Coping With Stress and Burnout Associated With Telecommunication and Online Learning Via Frontiers in Public Health | New and Recent Articles The COVID-19 pandemic substantially impacted the field of telecommunication. It increased the use of media applications that enable teleconferencing, telecommuting, online learning, and social relations. Prolonged time facing screens, tablets, and smart devices increases stress and anxiety. Mental health stressors associated with telecommunication can add to other stressors related to quarantine time and lockdown to eventually lead to exhaustion and burnout. In this review, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemi c on communication and education are explored. In addition, the relationship between prolonged exposure to digital devices and mental health is studied. Finally, coping strategies are offered to help relieve the tele-burdens of pandemics. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

High thyroid-stimulating hormone level in down's syndrome: A mere resetting of hypothalamopituitary axis in subclinical hypothyroidism?

Alexandros G.Sfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader High thyroid-stimulating hormone level in down's syndrome: A mere resetting of hypothalamopituitary axis in subclinical hypothyroidism? Μέσω Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism : 2014 - 18(1) Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2020 24(5):406-409 Objective: Hyperthyrotropinemia (HT) or reduced thyroid function in Down syndrome (DS) is not uncommon, causes range from glandular dysgenesis to altered hypothalamopituitary axis. In the present study, we have compared hypothyroid Indian children with and without DS (NDS), especially focusing on family history, goiter, and biochemical features. Methods: We conducted this retrospective observational study from previous medical records of children with DS (1-17 years) having an elevated TSH (≥5 mIU/L) who were consecutively referred for with HT to Endocrinology OPD of a tertiary care hospital in India. Records from hypothyroid children (1-17 years) without Down Syndrome (NDS) were evaluated as controls. Free thyroxine (FT4), anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibody were measured and congenital hypothyroidism was excluded in all subjects. Results: Thirty-four DS cases [median age 8 years (IQR: 2-14), M: F = 13:21] and 34 controls [median age 10.5 years (IQR: 7-13.25), M: F = 13:21] wer e comparable in terms of age and sex, Median age of presentation was significantly earlier in case of DS vs NDS [7 years vs. 10 years]. DS children had significantly less family history of thyroid disorders compared to NDS [14.7% vs 64.7%]. Goiter was significantly less common in patients with DS [DS - 32.25% vs. NDS - 73.5%, P = 0.001]. Anti-TPO antibody positivity was significantly less common in patients with DS [DS- 41% vs. NDS- 73.5%, P = 0.014]. Conclusion: There is a significant difference in presentation in hypothyroid children with DS compared to NDS. DS children with hypothyroidism compared to NDS, had earlier presentation, lower incidence of traceable family history, goiter, and anti-TPO-antibody positivity. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Paget's disease of bone

Alexandros G.Sfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Paget's disease of bone in Tunisia: A study of 69 patients Μέσω Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism : 2014 - 18(1) Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2020 24(5):422-427 Context: Paget's disease of bone is a common bone disease with a striking variation in its incidence and characteristics in different parts of the world. It is uncommonly reported in African patients. Aims: Given the lack of studies describing the characteristics of patients with Paget's disease of bone in North Africa, we aimed to describe demographic, clinical, biochemical, and imaging characteristics, as well as treatment outcomes of Tunisian patients with Paget's disease of bone. Subjects and Methods: This bicentric and retrospective study included patients with Paget's disease of bone. Clinical, laboratory, radiological profile, and response to treatment were analyzed. Results: Sixty-nine patients were identified. The mean age was 64.9 ± 11.6 years and 52.2% were women. One patient reported a positive family history. Seven patients were asymptomatic. Bone pain was the most common presenting symptom. Eight patients had a history of malignancy. In three patients, Paget's disease of bone was diagnosed as part of a metastatic workup. Monostotic disease was found in half of the cases. The most commonly involved sites were pelvis (43.5%), femur (21.7%), and spine (21.7%). The mean serum alkaline phosphatase level at presentation was 591 U/L (68–8380). Two patients received salmon calcitonin (2.8%) and 47 patients (68.1%) received bisphosphonates. After a mean follow-up of 55 months (2–240 months), bone pain improved in 43.1% of patients and the serum alkaline phosphate levels had normalized in 22 of them (43.1%). During follow-up, there was no malignant transformation. Conclusions: In this series of Tunisian patients, Paget's disease of bone had a female predominance and was usually monostotic. The clinical and radiological presentations were similar to the European series. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Neurocognitive functions and brain volume in patients with endogenous cushing's syndrome before and after curative surgery

Alexandros G.Sfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Neurocognitive functions and brain volume in patients with endogenous cushing's syndrome before and after curative surgery Μέσω Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism : 2014 - 18(1) Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2020 24(5):396-401 Introduction: Cushing's syndrome (CS) leads to various neuropsychiatric manifestations due to structural and functional changes of the brain and contributes significantly in the impairment of health-related quality of life. Aim and Objective: This study is conducted with aims to evaluate neurocognitive functions and brain volume in patients with endogenous Cushing's syndrome before and after curative surgery. Methods: The diagnosis of CS was made by clinical features, abnormal cortisol dynamics, ACTH levels, and imaging studies. Neuropsychiatric tests (Beck depression Index, Spatial span test, PGI memory scale, Color trail test, Verbal fluency test), and Brain volume (Bi-caudate and third ventricular diameter) were done before and after curative surgery. Results: Fifteen patients of CS were included for the study; all patients underwent curative surgery, neuropsychiatric assessment, and brain volume measurements. Nine patients were followed successfully till remission and repeat eval uation of these patients was done. Depression was the most common neuropsychiatric illness. Severity of depression positively correlated with 0800 h plasma cortisol and ACTH. Patients with higher severity of depression had maximum improvement after curative surgery. Significant decrease in the third ventricular, as well as bicaudate diameter, was observed after curative surgery (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Neuropsychiatric functions and structural brain changes reverse after curative surgery in patients with endogenous CS, however, long term follow-up is required to know whether these changes reverse completely or not. View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.